Semaphore-signal for automobiles.



SEMAPHOBE SIGNAL`FO*AUTOMOB|LES. APPVLlcATloN HLED MAR. 6. 1917.

m, Patentedsept. 17,1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

G. W. HACKNEY.

SEMAPHORE SIGNAL FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 6. 1911.

1,278,9 l 5 Patented Sept. 17, 1918,

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

l y I U3* @i F1910 y.

l' .H Inventor,

' To all 'whom t may concern:

STA

rafranr onirica.

GERGE W. HACKNEY, 0F TOPEKA, KANSAS.

SEMAPHORIE-SIGNAL FOR AUTOMOBILES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 17, 1918.

Application filed March 6, 1917. Serial No. 152,471.

' Be it known that I, GEORGE W. HACKNEY, a. citizen Aof the United States, residing at rIfopeka, in the county of Shawnee and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and luseful Improvements in Semapliore-Signals for-Automobiles, of which the following is a speciication.

My invent'on is an apparatus comprising a frame with two signal arms adapted to be mounted on the rear of an automobile, toget-her with electrical actuating and controlling mechanism fo'r the arms, the controlling mechanism being located most conveniently for the driver of the car, as on the, steering post or nearby; the purpose of the invention y bein to enable the driver to give a mechanical signal visible from the rear when he is about to turn or stop, apt signals being provided for turning to the right, 'for turning to the left, and for stopping.

It is the object 0f my 'invention to improve lupon apparatus of this general nature and to produce a cheaply made, compact, strong, durable, easily understood device of this general nature, which is free from complications, and, not-being apt to get out of order,

reliable.

The invention relates to the arrangement of the two blades, to such arrangement-in connection with a novel arrangement of solenoids actuating them, to the controlling means and particularly to the specially designed controlling switch, and to the parts, improvements, and combinations hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification and in the description of the drawings, I have shown my invention in its preferred form and what I deem to be the best mode of applying'the principles thereof; but itis to be understood that, within the scope ofthe appended claims, Icontemplate'changes in form, proportions and materials, the transposition of parts, and the substitution of equivalent vmembers, without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional elevation, approximately on a plane indicated by the line 1-1 in Fig. 2, of the signaling device proper, together with dotted outlines` of the shield, signal arms and lamp, and a diagram I of thewiring and switch connections, said switch connections corresponding in part with a plan approximately onthe line 1-1 in Fig. 5. Fig. 2 is a bottom plan 'sectional view approximatelyY on a plane indicated by the line 2-2 in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the signaling device proper. Fig. 4 is a sectional plan of the switch device approximately on a plane indicated by the line 4 in Fig. 5', the right-hand switchtongue, however, being shown in section on the line 4 in Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional elevation of the same approximately on the line 5 in Fig. 4, certain parts being broken away. Figs. 6, 7 8 and 9 are face views (that is, views presented to the rear) of the signaling device proper, showing the various positions of the signal arms. Fig. 10 is a face view of4 a modified form of exterior arrangement.

Similar-'reference characters indicate similar paits throughout the several views.

The box 11 formsl both the supporting frameand the inclosing casing for the parts comprising the signaling dvice proper, and it is intended to be mountedeon the rear of an automobile, preferably on the rear lefthand fender, where it will be clearly visible to persons approaching from the rear. The face fronts, therefore, rearwardly.

12 is a shield spaced apart from the casing and secured thereto by means of a suitable bracket 13 and a Spacer 14 and screws 15, 15,

the spacer forming a stop for the signal y erably of the shape shown, and arranged in offset relation to each other so that they are foldable together, the one blade back of the other and both back of the shield, and being hidden by said shield from view when so folded together. The spacer 14 limits the inward movement of the arms or blades, and the stops orbuffers 20, 20 limit their outward or signaling movement,

Rigidly secured to each shaft within the casing is an arm, indicated by the numerals 21 and 22, respectively, and secured to each shaft or arm is a pin 23 to which is secured one end of a spring 24, the other end being secured.v to a post 25 in the side of the frame;

these springs serving to hold the signal arms in their respective positions back of the shield, and to restore them to that position from their signaling positions. The parts just described are arranged in pairs in offset relation to each other, so they may be compacted closely within the casing; and the operating arms 21 and 22 are curved so that each passes above and down past the far side .erating arms 21 and 22, respectively, and

their armatures or cores are connected, by means of the links 30, 30, with the Vends of the respective operating arms, being thus located on opposite sides of the casing from the shafts to which they are respectively operatively connected through the medium of said linlrs and operating arms.

The purpose of the solenoids is to operate the signal arms in opposition to said springs; that is to say, by passing the current through the left-hand solenoid 26, the right-hand signal arm is extended or swung to the position shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 7, which is a visual signal to one viewing the device from the rear that the car is about to be turned to the right. When the current is broken, the spring restores the signal arm and vconnected parts to normal position, the signal arm back of the shield. Similarly by passing the current through the right-hand solenoid 27, the lefthand signal arm 19 is extended or swung to signaling position, as shown in Fig. 8, indicating that the car is about to be turned to the left. By passing current through both solenoids at the same time, both signal blades are swung to signaling position, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, indicating that the car is about to be stopped. lllhen the Vcurrent is broken, the signal arm or arms are restored to their normal positions back of the shield as indicated in Fig. 6.

An electric lamp 32 is supported on a bloclr. 31 atl the bottoni of the tace of the casing, and a reflector 33 throws the light over the area occupied by the shield and signal arms so as to malte them clearly visible at night.

Suitable journal bearing plates 40, 40 are provided for the shafts, and collars 41, 41 are provided to prevent endwise movement oi the shafts.

The lead wire 34 connects the battery 38 with the solenoids and the lamp through branches 35, 36, and 8'?, and the battery 1n turn is connected with the points 45, 45 in each of the two three-point switches (ses invasie Figs. 1 and 5) 'through the lead wire 44. The lamp is also connected, through lead 39 and switch 47 with the two points 46, 46 in each of said three-point switches. The solenoids are connected respectively with the third points 48 and 49 of each of said A shunt circuit 50` three-point switches.

around` the three-point switches and includshape, as shown at 68, so as to beadapted to enter into contact with the three correspondingly arranged points or springs, simultaneously, so that each tongue affords electrical. connection between each of the three points to which it is applied. The tongues are reciprocatingly mounted in the trame or casing 54 and extend through holes 57 in the partltion plates 55 and 56. They are supplied with. exterior operating buttonsv `58, 58 and with splines 59, 59 to preventV them from twisting. -A coil compression spring 6 0 encircles each tongue, bearin between a collar 61 secured thereon an the near partition plate 56, and tends normally to hold the tongue out of contact with the points, as shown by the let-handtongue in Figs. 4 and 5. rlhe contacts are made by pressing the tongue inwardly as shown by the rightdiand tongue in Figs. 1, 4 and 5; and the tongue is latched in this position by the engagement of a latch 64, which is pivoted at 65 and impelled by aspring 66, engaging in a notch 62 formed in the side of the tongue. -'lhere is such a latch for each tongue. A bar 67 extends across tht frame and is slidably mounted therein adjacent to said latches, and provided with pins 68, 68 to engage said latches, and an operating button 80. The latch is released from the tongue by pushing the bar and button to the left, said bar forming thus a universal release operative on either or by pressing the universal release button 8O.A

A spring might be provided for the universal release, but it is believed the springs 66, v

66 are ample for restoring the universal release.

i eras-ie llt is preferred to color the body of the casing in harmony with the car, but preferably, too, it should be' a dark color. And it is preferred to color the shield and arms white, with a red /arrowhead on each arm pointing away from the shield, and with a red band across the shield in substantial alinemeiit with the arrowhead to form. a stem for the arrow.

rlhe wires may be formed into a cable 81 assing through a hole 82 in the casing. 'he battery may be suitably located.

rlhe design shown in Fig. 10 is operatively similar to that shown in the other figures. The shield, however, is formed with an opening 70, and on the casing is the word Stop, visible through said opening when both arms are'extended, but covered by either or both of the signal arms when they or either of them is in non-signaling position behind the shield. y

With' the cut-out switches 47 and 51 in the positions shown in Figs. r1, 4 and 5, it will be understood that normally the lamp is dark and that it is lighted and remains lighted simultaneously with either or both of the .signal arms being in signaling position. VBy opening the switch. i7 and leaving switch 51 open, the lamp is entirely out of commission, as is desired in daylight. By

closing switch 51 (whether switch .47 be closed or open), the lamp will be lighted continuously. This gives the driver the option of no light, continuous light, and light flashed only with the signals. l

' Having thus described my what l claim is: 1. The combination of a frame, two spaced, parallel, and horizontally alined invention,

shafts mounted therein, a'shield secured to.

and spaced apart from the frame, two arms Y formed with signal blades, one mounted on .each of said shafts and foldable together with the one blade behind the other and both behind said shield and capable of'being swung by the respective shaftsto the right and left, respectively, of said'shield, stops for limiting the movement of said signal arms, springs for holding the signal arms in position' behind the shield', operatinglarins secured to the respective shafts, the arm secured to each shat't extending across the other shaft, fsolenoids supported in the frame having armatures, links connecting said operating arms with the respective armatures whereby the solenoids actuate the respective signal arms to signaling position in opposition to said springs, an electric lamp positioned on the face of the frame, a reflector for reflecting the rays from the lamp on the area occupied bythe shield and blades, a source of current supply for the solenoids and the lamp, 'and two independent electrical switches Vand connections for controlling the current and whereby said current is conducted through either solenoid and the lamp and through both solenoids and the lamp.

2. rllhe combination of a frame, two signal arms pivotally mounted therein, a shield secured to the frame', lsaid signal arms being normally hidden behind said shield and being adapted to swing out` from behind said shield in opposite directions, two solencids and suit-able connections between the sole-- noids whereby each arm is operated by a solenoid, a lamp capable of illuminating said shield and arms, two independent threepoint switches and a battery, suitable electrical connections connecting one side of the lamp and the two solenoids with one side of the battery and connecting the other side of the battery with one of the points in each of the three-point switches, connecting the other side of the lamp with another of the points in each switch including a cut-out switch, and connecting the 'other side of each of the solenoids with the third points respectively oli said three-point'switch, a shunt circuit including a cut-out switch .connecting the second-named side of the battery with the said other side of the lamp around said three-point switches and the first-named cutout s'Witch, said three-point switches being normally open, means for closing said threepoint switches, and a universal release for opening said three-point switches.

3. In a device of the kind described, the combinationl of a frame formed with a shield, signal blades foldable together the one behind the other and both behind the shield, and means for extending the blades out laterally in opposite directions from be- 'hind the shield separately and together and for restoring them to folded position; the shield having a horizontal line or arrow stem and each blade having'thereon an arrowhead pointingin the direction. of movenient of said blade-away from` the shield so denies et' this intent may ne obtained cr are cents enen, by addressing the "@ommlasioxier ci Patents,

' Washington, lli. Q. 

